Chapter 1021: She won’t be talking for long.

Patricia bit her bottom lip as she stopped by the side of the road, her eyes snapping to the bar signage blinking a few meters ahead. Her breathing had grown heavy for some reason, her gaze fixed on the name of the bar and the message about the meeting place.

"Why do I feel nervous?" she asked herself, gripping the steering wheel before loosening her hold. "It’s okay. Even if this doesn’t work, the worst thing that could happen to me is that I’ll be stuck with my family and that good-for-nothing brother of mine."

And that would be the worst thing that could happen to her.

Patricia huffed, determined to change her fate and prove to the world that she was just as good as anyone. Theo was clearly stopping her from shining, and Penny was jealous of her. After all, if not, why would Penny pay attention to her bag?

"Also, what nonsense did she and that bodyguard talk about? Did they think I’d believe them?" she snorted. "I’d rather die than be someone who listens to her every word."

If there was something scarier than death, it would be becoming poor and being Penny’s pet.

Patricia breathed in and out, checking herself in the mirror to make sure she looked presentable. Once she was satisfied with the color she’d added to her lips, she stepped out and pranced toward the bar. This bar wasn’t one of the places she would usually go to, as it wasn’t as high end as the places she frequented. But it wasn’t bad.

With her dress sparkling and her hair bouncing with every step, she smirked at the immediate attention she garnered the moment she stepped in.

’Yes, the prettiest has come to this place. Look at me,’she thought arrogantly, taking a seat at the bar counter. Patricia flipped her hair, smiling beautifully as the bartender looked up at her.

"Hi," she greeted with a confident smile. "One margarita, please."

The bartender didn’t move immediately, just staring at the woman seated across from him. She took it as the bartender being mesmerized by her, not realizing he was staring at her for a completely different reason. Not that she wasn’t pretty—Patricia was especially gorgeous tonight.

It was just that... she didn’t look like someone the bartender would expect.

The last woman who was invited here, after all, was Penelope Bennet. Compared to this woman before him, Penelope Bennet was not only charismatic and stunning in appearance, but she also carried an intimidating and regal aura that made one not question her presence.

"Pfft—" Patricia couldn’t help but laugh, tucking a portion of her hair behind her ear. "Excuse me, but I ordered a drink. I know I’m pretty, but I’m thirsty too. So, will you make me one, or would you keep staring at me?"

The bartender flashed her a smile and said, "Right away, Miss."

Patricia smiled in satisfaction, glancing around her surroundings. She caught a few people looking in her direction, making her smirk as she felt extra special. After all, it had been a while since people had paid her this much attention.

This was how it was supposed to be. She had to be the center of attention and admiration, not a side character who no one paid attention to.

"One margarita for you, senorita," the bartender said humorously as he served her the drink. "Enjoy your drink, Miss."

"Thank you," Patricia nodded in satisfaction, picking up her drink and taking a sip. As she placed the glass aside, she checked the napkin underneath it.

It was empty.

"Huh?" Deep lines appeared between her brows as she expected some sort of password or clue, just like the instructions she’d received. Patricia frowned, wondering if she was in the right bar. "Uhm, excuse me. Can I ask if this is the bar...?"

The bartender looked at her and nodded. "Yes, it is, Miss."

"Then why is this empty?" she asked quietly, raising the napkin. "I was told to order a margarita and then receive further instructions from there. But it’s empty."

Patricia raised her brows and tilted her head to the side, blinking at him as if he wasn’t making any sense. "Did you hear me? Why do you keep staring at me like that?"

"Miss, I don’t know what you’re talking about," the bartender laughed awkwardly. "I only serve drinks, and just as you asked, I served you a margarita. I don’t know what instructions you’re asking me about. I guess the next instruction is the payment and the tip...?"

Patricia scoffed. "Are you kidding me?" She pulled out the card from her purse and showed it to him. "This one. I got this invitation."

The bartender glanced at the familiar card before snapping his eyes back to her. He smiled and said, "I don’t know what kind of invitation that is, Miss."

"Hah!"

"Miss, I’m sorry, but I think you’re in the wrong place. There’s another bar in the area that almost sounds the same as ours. Maybe that’s the place where the party is?"

"Party?" she snorted, studying the bartender with ridicule. By the looks of it, the bartender was clueless. "Whatever. Where is that bar?"

"It’s just right around the corner. If you walk to the right..."

Patricia listened to the instructions he was giving her before she rolled her eyes. "Got it." After saying that, she picked up her purse and was about to leave.

"Wait, Miss!"

"What?" She looked back irritably.

The bartender smiled awkwardly and said, "You need to pay for the drink."

Patricia clenched her teeth as she hissed, storming back and placing a bill on the counter. "Keep the change. You’re welcome." She rolled her eyes at him before walking off in anger.

The bartender kept his gaze on her figure as if making a decision. After a second, he glanced in a different direction and nodded at them. With that, the men he nodded at rose from their spot and followed Patricia.

Taking the bill she left behind, the bartender turned around and picked up a small phone. "I rejected the new guest. She doesn’t fit the criteria," he told whoever was listening on the other end of the line. "Don’t worry. I sent someone to deal with her. She won’t be talking for long."